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US 10,894,311 B2Granted
Tool including load sensor
AssigneeMax Co., Ltd.
InventorMichio Yamashita
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tool includes a switch and a handle. The switch is configured to cause an electric component to operate. The handle is held by a hand to manipulate the switch. The switch includes a switch manipulation part to be manipulated, a load sensor, a sealing cover and a preventing member. The load sensor is configured to receive a pressing force through the switch manipulation part. The sealing cover includes an elastic material which is deformable when receiving the pressing force through the switch manipulation part, and is configured to press the load sensor. The preventing member is configured to seal an internal space between the sealing cover and the load sensor, around the load sensor.
Claims19
A tool comprising:
- a switch that is configured to cause an electric component to operate;
- and
- a handle that is held by a hand to manipulate the switch,
- wherein the switch includes:
- a switch manipulation part to be manipulated;
- a load sensor that is configured to receive a pressing force through the switch manipulation part, the load sensor including a pressure-sensitive conductive elastic member and a substrate;
- a sealing cover that includes an elastic material which is deformable when receiving the pressing force through the switch manipulation part and which covers the load sensor, wherein the sealing cover includes a pressing part which is formed integrally with the sealing cover and which is configured to press the load sensor, wherein the pressing part includes a protrusion which protrudes in a direction toward the substrate, the sealing cover further including a seal part which includes a surface adjacent a side periphery of the substrate and which extends around and seals the side periphery of the substrate, and wherein the sealing cover further includes a flexible part which extends around the pressing part and which is integrally formed with the pressing part and the seal part, and the flexible part has a thickness smaller than a thickness of the pressing part and the seal part;
- a preventing member which extends around the load sensor and which is configured to seal a region around the load sensor to seal an internal space located between the load sensor and the sealing cover, the preventing member including a supporting member;
- wherein the supporting member supports the load sensor, and wherein the supporting member is on an opposite side of the load sensor with respect to the sealing cover, wherein an entire circumference of the load sensor is sealed by the sealing cover and the supporting member;
- and
- wherein the sealing cover further includes a support part which extends between the pressure-sensitive conductive elastic member and the substrate of the load sensor so as to form a space between the pressure-sensitive conductive elastic member and the substrate.
8 more elements
A tool comprising:
- a switch that is configured to cause an electric component to operate;
- and
- a handle that is held by a hand to manipulate the switch,
- wherein the switch includes:
- a switch manipulation part to be manipulated;
- a load sensor that is configured to receive a pressing force through the switch manipulation part, the load sensor including a substrate;
- a sealing cover that includes an elastic material which is deformed to press the load sensor when receiving the pressing force through the switch manipulation part, which is configured to be restored to an original shape thereof when the pressing force is released, that is configured to cover the load sensor, and that is configured to seal the load sensor;
- a load sensor support member positioned on an opposite side of the load sensor than the switch manipulation part, such that a first side of the load sensor faces toward the switch manipulation part and a second side of the load sensor, opposite the first side, faces toward the load sensor support member;
- wherein an internal space having a volume is defined between the sealing cover and the load sensor on the first side of the load sensor, and as the sealing cover is deformed the volume of the internal space is changed;
- and
- a relieving part that is configured to relieve an increase in pressure of the internal space in accordance with the change of the volume of the internal space as the sealing cover is deformed,
- wherein the relieving part includes a closed space between the substrate of the load sensor and the load sensor support member on the second side of the load sensor, the closed space having a volume larger than the volume of the internal space, and the relieving part is configured to allow air to flow between the closed space on the second side of the load sensor and the internal space on the first side of the load sensor.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.